Electronic module with ejector mechanism

ABSTRACT

An electronic module ( 10 ) includes a housing having a longitudinal body portion and a mounting portion extending rearward from the body portion, with a channel ( 1221 ) defined in a top or bottom section of the mounting portion; an ejector mechanism including a slider member ( 61 ) accommodated in the channel of mounting portion and an actuator member ( 62 ) pivotally engaged with the mounting portion, said actuator member further linked to the slider member for pushing the slider member forwardly moving along the channel; and a spring member ( 8 ) arranged between the slider member and the mounting portion and capable of pushing the slider member rearward moving along the channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/900,496, filed on Sep. 12, 2007 and entitled “LATCH MECHANISM WITHSPRING BACK FUNCTION”, now the U.S. Pat. No. 7,402,070; the applicationalso related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/999,403, filed onDec. 5, 2007 and entitled “ELECTRONIC MODULE WITH SEAMLESS ANTI-EMIDEVICE”, and the aforesaid applications have the same applicant andassignee as the present invention. The disclosure of the relatedapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an electronic module, andmore particularly to an electronic module with an auto-return ejectormechanism.

2. Description of Related Art

SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable), X-SFP and QSFP are all modules forfiber optic transmission or ordinary signal transmission. All of themodules are of small size or form factor which is important. The smallerthe form factor of the module, the less space taken on a printed circuitboard to which it couples. A smaller form factor allows a greater numberof modules to be coupled onto a printed circuit board to supportadditional communication channels. However, the smaller form factormakes it more difficult for a user to handle.

When such a module embedded in a system fails, it is desirable toreplace it, particularly when other communication channels are supportedby other modules. To replace a failed module, it needs to be pluggableinto a module receptacle. While, plugging in a new module is usuallyeasy, it is more difficult to remove the failed module because of othercomponents surrounding it. Additionally, a user should not attempt topull on cables of the module in order to try and remove a failed moduleor else the user might cause damage thereto.

A typical release method for a pluggable module is to push in on themodule itself and then pull out on the module to release it from a cageassembly or module receptacle. It has been determined than this methodis not very reliable with users complaining of the difficulty inremoving pluggable modules in such manner. Users often complain thattraditional methods offer little leverage in getting a sufficient gripon the module when attempting to pull it out of a module receptacle.Another complaint is that traditional actuators used to remove modulesare inaccessible or invisible. Other users complain than once releasedby the traditional method, it is difficult to withdraw the module out ofits cage or module receptacle.

Therefore, designers developed different solutions to solve aboveproblems accounted by the users, such as disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos.6,744,963, 6,851,867, 6,749,448, 6,884,097, 6,908,323, 7,052,306,6,824,416 and 7,090,523. The theories of theses patents aresubstantially the same, that is each module is received in correspondingcage or module receptacle and comprises a pair of sliders with forwardends engaging with tabs of the cage, and a bail or lever capable ofrotating to actuate the sliders linearly to separate forward ends of thesliders from the tabs. The action theory of theses patents successfullysolve the problems mentioned above. However, for returning to originalposition, the latch mechanisms usually adopt bias elements which provideelastic restore force to the latch mechanism. The present inventionprovides an electronic module with an improved ejector mechanism havingself spring back function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic module having an improved ejector mechanism.

In order to achieve the object set forth, an electronic modulecomprising a housing having a longitudinal body portion and a mountingportion extending rearward from the body portion, with a channel definedin a top or bottom section of the mounting portion; an ejector mechanismincluding a slider member accommodated in the channel of mountingportion and an actuator member pivotally engaged with the mountingportion, said actuator member further linked to the slider member forpushing the slider member forwardly moving along the channel; and aspring member arranged between the slider member and the mountingportion and capable of pushing the slider member rearward moving alongthe channel.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of an electronic module inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 3 is an assembled, perspective view of the electronic module;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but viewed from another aspect; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an electronic module 100 comprises a housing(not numbered) including a conductive base portion 1 and a conductivepanel portion 2, a printed circuit board 3, a cable 4, a metal gasket 5and an ejector mechanism (not numbered) for separating the electronicmodule 10 from a complementary connector (not shown). The electronicmodule 10 further has a spring member 8 assembled to the ejectormechanism for providing a return force. The housing has a longitudinalbody portion (not numbered) and a mounting portion (not numbered)extending rearward from the body portion. The metal gasket 5 is attachedto a rear segment of a peripheral surface of the body portion andadjacent to the mounting portion.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the base portion 1 is die-cast or other metalplated body, including a primary body portion 11 and a first mountingportion 12 rearward extending from back segment of the primary bodyportion 11. The primary body portion 11 has a pair of lateral walls 111,112 and a bottom wall 113 joining to lower sections of the two lateralwalls 111, 112 to from a receiving space 110 with an upper window (notnumbered). Rear sections of the pair of the lateral walls 111, 112define a pair of first depression portions 1110. A front section of thebottom wall 113 is cut to form an outlet 1131. A rear section of thebottom wall defines a first channel 1132 located in a middle areathereof, with a lock tab 1135 formed in the front and middle therein. Apair of L-shaped depression portions 1134 are defined in two lateralareas of the rear section of the bottom wall 113, disposed outward ofthe first channel 1132. A pair of tiny posts 1136 are respectivelyarranged in the pair of L-shaped depression portions 1134 and adjacentto one another. The primary body portion 11 further has beam portion 114with substantially L-shaped cross-section interconnecting distalportions of the pair of the lateral walls 111, 112.

The first mounting portion 12 has a pair of side walls 121 and a lowerwall 122 to corporately form a first semi-circular cavity 1201 and adeeper first position slot 1202 located in front of the firstsemi-circular cavity 1201. A second channel 1221 is defined in a middlearea of the lower wall 122 and communicates with the first channel 1132of the primary body portion 11. A stop member 1133 is located in a frontportion of the second channel 1221 and aligns with the lock tab 1135along a front-to-back direction. A pair of guiding members 123 arerespectively formed on lateral areas of the lower wall 122. A thin barmember 1231 projects inwardly from an inner surface of a rear portion ofeach guiding member 123. A lengthways guiding groove 1232 is located ina middle segment of each guiding member 123 and disposed in front of thebar member 1231. A pair of pivot members 1211 are respectively formed onupper sections of the outer surfaces of the pair of side walls 121. Apair of screw holes 1212 are respectively recessed downward from upsurfaces of rear sections of the side walls 121.

The panel portion 2 is die-cast or metal plated body, including asecondary body portion 21 and a second mounting portion 22 rearwardextending from back segment of the secondary body portion 21. Thesecondary body portion 21 has a planar board member 213 and a pair offlange members 211, 212 formed on lateral sides of the board member 213.A second depression portion 2130 is defined in a peripheral portion of arear portion of the board member 213. A vertical wall 2131 is arrangedon an inner side of the front section of the board member 213. A pair ofsupporting posts 2133 are located back of the vertical wall 2131, andeach supporting post 2133 further defines a second screw hole 2134therein. A protrusion portion 2132 extends forwardly form inner surfaceof a front portion of the board member 213.

The panel portion 2 further includes a second mounting portion 22rearward extending from a back face of the secondary body portion 21.The second mounting portion 22 also has a pair of side walls 221 and alower wall 222 to corporately form a second semi-circular cavity 2201and a deeper second position slot 2202 located in front of the secondsemi-circular cavity 2201. A pair of through holes 2211 are respectivelydefined in a rear section of the side walls 221.

The ejector mechanism includes a slider member 61, an actuator member 62and a fasten member 63.

The slider member 61 has a substantially rectangular shaped body portion610 and two wedge-shaped tabs 612 extending forward from the bodyportion 610. The two tabs 612 space from one another, with a passage6120 formed therebetween. A cavity 611 is recessed downwardly from anupper surface of a middle segment of the body portion 610, and twogrooves 613 respectively recessed inward from lateral surfaces of a rearsegment of the body portion 610. A circular shape first slot 614 isrecessed upwardly from a bottom surface of a rear portion of the slidermember 61, and a rectangular shape second slot 615 is recessed upwardlyfrom a bottom surface of a front portion of the slider member 61. Thefirst slot 614 is in communication to the second slot 615. Furthermore,the second slot 615 is larger than the first slot 614. A rear segment ofthe spring member 8 is accommodated in the first slot 614, and a frontsegment of the spring member 8 projecting into the second slot 615.

The actuator member 62 is configured to doorframe-shaped, including adoorhead or transversal beam 621 and two doorjambs or vertical arms 622connected to ends of the doorhead. A slit 623 is defined in the doorhead621. A pair of first positioning holes 6221 are respectively defined ina middle section of the doorjambs 622, and a pair of mounting holes 6222are respectively defined through the lower ends thereof. Furthermore, apull tape 6230 is inserted through the slit 623 of the doorhead andattached thereto.

The metal gasket 5 includes a number of walls 51 interconnected togetherto form a frame, and a plurality of spring tabs 52 formed on outer sidesof the walls 51. Two clasp members 53 are connected to ends of the frameand face to one another, and each clasp member 53 defines a hole 54.

The printed circuit board 3 includes a substrate 30, a plurality offirst conductive pads 31 arranged on a front section of the substrate 30and a plurality of second conductive pads 32 located on rear sectionthereof. A pair of positioning holes 33 are defined in the substrate 30,proximate a front section thereof.

The cable 4 includes an outer insulative jacket 40, a number of wires 41enclosed in the jacket 40 and insulated from each other. Each of thewires 41 further has an inner conductor 42 for transmitting signal.

When assembly, the insulative jacket 40 of a front segment of the cable4 is decorticated and then the wires 41 are exposed outside, and thenfront section of the inner conductors 42 are made to expose outward,then the inner conductors 42 are soldered to the second conductive pads32 of the PCB 3. The PCB 3 is put on the pair of supporting posts 2133of the panel portion 2, with the pair of positioning holes 33 thereofaligning with the pair of second screw holes 2134 of the pair ofsupporting posts 2133, and then a pair of second screw members 72 areinserted into the pair of positioning holes 33 and the pair of secondscrew holes 2134 to fix the PCB 3 to the panel portion 2. The panelportion 2 is assembled to the base portion 1, with a pair of lateralflange members 211, 212 thereof inserted into the receiving space 110,the protrusion portion 2132 supported by the beam portion 114 of thebase portion 1, Simultaneously, the PCB 3 is received in the receivingspace 110, the pair of through holes 2211 of the panel portion 2aligning with a pair of screw holes 1212 of the base portion 1, then apair of first screw members 71 are inserted into the through holes 2211and screw holes 1212 to fasten the panel portion 2 and the base portion1 together.

The gasket 5 is assembled to an outer surface of the housing, with thewalls 51 located in the a pair of first depression portions 1110 of thebase portion 1 and the second depression portions 2130 of the panelportion 2, the clasp members 53 located in the pair of L-shapeddepression portions 1134, the pair of tiny posts 1136 within thedepression portions 1134 inserted into a pair of through holes 54 of thepair of mounting members 54 and then soldered thereto.

The slider member 61 is assembled to the second channel 1221 of thefirst mounting portion 12, with the pair of thin bar members 1231 of thetwo guiding members 123 received in the two grooves 613 thereof, thecavity 611 aligning with guiding grooves 1232 of the two guiding members123, the stop member 1133 accommodated in the second slot 615 to preventthe spring member 8 sliding away the slider member 61, the passage 6120between the tabs 612 facing to the lock tab 1135 in the first channel1132.

Then, the actuator member 62 is assembled to the first mounting portion12 of the base portion 1, with the pair of pivot members 1211 of thefirst mounting portion received in the pair of first positioning holes6221 of the doorjambs 622 of the actuator member 62, the pair ofmounting holes 6222 located in the end section of the doorjambs 622aligning with the cavity 611 and the guiding grooves 1232 of the twoguiding members 123, then the fasten member 63 is inserted through thepair of mounting holes 6222, the cavity 611 and the guiding grooves1232.

While the electronic module 100 disengages away the complementaryconnector, just exert a pulling force on the pull tape 6230 to promotethe actuator member 62 rotating around the pivot members 1211, such thatthe slider member 61 is pushed moving forwardly along the second channel1221 and the first channel 1132 to urge latch mechanism of thecomplementary connector deflecting from the lock tab 1135, such that theelectronic module 10 is separated from the complementary connector. Thenthe spring member 8 pushes the slider member 61 moving rearward toreturn its original position.

In comparison with the previous design shown in the copendingapplication Ser. No. 11/999,403 which requires lengthways guidingpassages (1232) to guidably receive the fasten member (63) and throughholes (614) to receive the fasten member (63), the instant inventionomits such lengthways guiding passages and downwardly exposes thethrough hole, that ease the manufacturing. It can be noted that in theinstant invention the fasten member 3 experiences very minor verticalmovement during rotation of the actuating member 62 so as to beefficiently received in the cavity 611 for holding the slider 61 inposition and efficiently moving the slider 61 in a front-to-back slidingdirection. On the other hand, the instant invention the spring 8directly imposes the forces upon the slider 61, assuring the slider 61to be back to the original position in a stable manner after the pullingforce stops.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustratedonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the appended claims are expressed.

1. An electronic module, comprising: a housing having a longitudinalbody portion and a mounting portion extending rearward from the bodyportion, with a channel defined in a top or bottom section of themounting portion; an ejector mechanism including a slider memberaccommodated in the channel of mounting portion and an actuator memberpivotally engaged with the mounting portion, said actuator memberfurther linked to the slider member for pushing the slider memberforwardly moving along the channel; and a spring member arranged betweenthe slider member and the mounting portion and capable of pushing theslider member rearward moving along the channel.
 2. The electronicmodule as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stop member is located in afront portion of the channel and a slot is defined in a low section ofthe slider member, wherein the spring member is accommodated in the slotand the stop member projects into the slot to prevent the spring membersliding away from the slot.
 3. The electronic module as claimed in claim2, wherein the slot includes a first slot in communication to a secondslot, and the second slot is larger than the first slot.
 4. Theelectronic module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first slot iscircular shape and the second slot is rectangular shape.
 5. Theelectronic module as claimed in claim 3, wherein a rear portion of thespring member is located in the first slot and a front portion of thespring member extends into the second slot.
 6. The electronic module asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the stop member protrudes into the secondslot.
 7. The electronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein twoguiding members are arranged at lateral sides of the channel, and eachguiding member has a guiding groove recessed downwardly from a topsurface thereof.
 8. The electronic module as claimed in claim 7, whereina cavity is defined in an up portion of the slider member and alignswith the guiding groove of each guiding member.
 9. The electronic moduleas claimed in claim 8, wherein a fasten member links free ends of twovertical arms of the actuator member and passes through the guidinggroove of the of the guiding member and the cavity of the slider member.10. The electronic module as claimed in claim 9, wherein two pivotmembers are formed on lateral sides of the mounting portion and insertedinto positioning holes defined in the vertical arms of the actuatormember.
 11. The electronic module as claimed in claim 9, wherein atransition beam is connected to the two vertical arms and across themounting portion.
 12. The electronic module as claimed in claim 11,wherein a slit is defined in the transition beam, and a pull tape isthrough the slit and attached thereto.
 13. The electronic module asclaimed in claim 7, wherein two bar members are formed on inner sides ofthe pair of guiding members and inserted into two grooves defined inlateral sides of the slider member respectively.
 14. The electronicmodule as claimed in claim 1, wherein a depression portion is defined ina rear section of the body portion of the housing and a gasket have aplurality of walls form a frame disposed in the depression portion. 15.The electronic module as claimed in claim 14, wherein a two claspmembers are respectively formed at ends of the frame, and two posts areformed in the depression portion and locked into corresponding holesdefined in the two clasp.
 16. The electronic module as claimed in claim15, wherein the clasp members are soldered to the two posts.
 17. Theelectronic module as claimed in claim 14, wherein a plurality of springtabs are formed on outer sides of the walls of the gasket.
 18. Anelectrical module for use with a cable and a connector on a printedcircuit board, comprising: a housing enclosing the electronic componenttherein; an actuator member pivotally mounted upon the housing having anoperation end accessible from an exterior and an actuation end, oppositeto the operation end, moveable around an underside of the housing; anelongated fasten member linked to the actuation end; a slideressentially fully downwardly exposed upon said underside of the housing;interengaging devices formed on the slider and the housing to assuresaid slider to move back and forth relative to the housing along thefront-to-back direction; and an elongated cavity formed in anundersurface of the slider to receive the fasten member therein; whereinsaid elongated cavity is downwardly exposed to the exterior for easingassembling of the fasten member thereinto under a condition that thefasten member only engages the slider and the actuator member, withoutbeing supported by others.
 19. The electronic module as claimed in claim18, wherein a spring is hidden between the slider and the housing tourge directly the slider back to an original position once the actuatormember is released by an user.
 20. An electronic module comprising: ahousing enclosing electronic components therein; an actuator member formanual operation pivotally mounted to the housing with an upperoperation end and a lower actuation end; an elongated fasten memberlinked to the actuation end; a slider mounted upon an underside of thehousing with an elongated cavity exposed downwardly to an exterior toreceive the fasten member therein; and a spring hidden between theslider and the housing and constantly directly urging the slider back toan original position once said actuator member is released.